Silencing indigenous pasts: critical Indigenous theory and the history of psychedelics
International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education June 21, 2021 DOI: 10.1080/09518398.2021.1942297 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Indigenous Cognitive reframing White mutation Colonialism Narrative Critical theory Watson Epistemology Environmental ethics |
| Citations | 21 |
| Key points | Argues that Critical Indigenous theory provides conceptual tools for white historians to combat colonial assumptions in psychedelic history. |
Abstract
In this manuscript, I reflect on how Critical Indigenous theory offers white historians like myself powerful conceptual tools to combat the underlying, historically-rooted colonial assumptions prevalent in their work, specifically within the subfield of psychedelic history. Histories of compounds like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, ayahuasca, and mescaline often center themselves on the experiences of white male researchers, clinicians, politicians, and countercultural leaders. These colonizing narratives exoticize, marginalize, and/or misinterpret Indigenous histories of these substances. While important work is being done to address this academic inequity, Critical Indigenous Theoretical perspectives and approaches could help historians reframe their characterizations of Indigenous communities' relationships with psychedelics. I explore these ideas through a critical examination of my own previous writing and current projects. This section identifies how I intend to carry the lessons of Critical Indigenous Theories forward in my present and future scholarly work.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics | 2019 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Psychedelics as Medicines: An Emerging New Paradigm General population | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Theorizing that Psychedelic Assisted Therapy May Play a Role in the Treatment of Trauma-Induced Personality Disorders. | 2024 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| What Geometric Visual Hallucinations Tell Us about the Visual Cortex | 2002 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Psilocybin-assisted therapy of major depressive disorder using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a therapeutic frame | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 19
- Psychedelic Medicine Exceptionalism. The American Journal of Bioethics 2025
- Classic Psychedelics and Human–Animal Relations International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health July 1, 2022
- Evaluating the role of psychedelic psychotherapy in addressing societal alienation: Imaginaries of liberation Journal of Psychedelic Studies September 25, 2023
- Psychedelics and critical theory Journal of Psychedelic Studies September 21, 2023
- Research into Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy for Anorexia Nervosa Should be Funded. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry March 1, 2023
and 14 more in the library